6MM Remington Loads

scalerman · #1 06-16-2008, 02:05 PM

I found that my 6MM loves the 95 grain Hornady SST's. I was wondering if any of you guys could recommend a load for that bullet.

dakotah · #2 06-16-2008, 04:23 PM

My favorite powder for most 6 mm loads is IMR4350. My recommendation is to look at a couple of manuals for amount of powder. I have had a couple of 6 mm's and what was maximum load in one wasn't for the other. I found that the maximum load in the manuals was not too hot for my 6 mm's. The maximum loads in the 6 mm's I have had (IMR4350) turned out to be very good loads. The first 6 mm I had could shoot 1/4" groups with several loads. The one I have now is much more picky but I think 3/4" groups with that bullet would be likely. The other were just work horse rifles and I did little developement work with them.

The 6 mm I have now seems to be very picky regarding seating depth. It likes the heavier longer bullets while the first liked short 75 grain hollow points (Speer and Sierra) - the worst loads in the presnt rifle might be as large as 2 " groups which I think is unacceptable and they were using some uncommon powders.

What I am trying to say is this. The 6mm's I have owned liked IMR4350 - all of them, but the loads they liked were quite different. I suggest looking in manuls and expect the heavier loads (of powder) will likely shoot best.

Ridge Runner · #3 06-17-2008, 04:42 PM

try IMR4831 also, my 6mm loves it.
RR

Rev · #4 06-17-2008, 10:09 PM

Another vote for IMR-4350 for the 6mm. Rem. For years I shot 43.0 grs. of IMR-4350 using 100 gr. Sierras and Noslers. Those loads gave near max. velocities and excellent accuracy. Of course one should work up to that load as always. But that was the one that worked for me.

I now a shoot 6mm. AI using 95 gr. Nosler BT's. IMR-4350 works best in that one as well. I'm sold on that powder for the 6mm.

Rev

scalerman · #5 06-17-2008, 10:36 PM

I will most likely use IMR4831- all of my other rifles love it. Ridge Runner- how big a charge for the 95 grainer?

Rapier · #6 06-23-2008, 03:05 PM

My 6mm data must be on the computer at the house, I am at the office right now. Here is a reloading data site with 6mm @ 95 gr:

http://www.huntingnut.com/index.php?...ads&dbid=13677

dakotah · #7 06-23-2008, 03:26 PM

2 other powders I tried and did not work so well are H414 and WW760. Both fine powders in the IMR4350 burning range but did not work well in my 6 mm's.

dakotah · #8 09-26-2008, 01:59 PM

I just did some load developement for an antelope hunt in 2 weeks. I am using a 95gr SST from Hornady for the goats. I am using 4831SC and am using more powder than I see in my reloading manuals, but the bolt lift is easy and there does not seem to be high pressures. The load is 51.8 gr -- I use a drop tube.

There are prairie dogs in the area and so I also loaded some 58 grain Hornady's. The powder is IMR4350 the load is the top load mentioned in the Hornady manual. Again no signs of excessive pressure.

The 95 grain bullets so in .33" at 100 yards. The 58 grain bullets shoot into 1/8 or .125" at 100 yards. The POI on these two loads are very close. If I were to over lay the groups from both the combined group size is about .5" at 100 yards.

The rifle is one of the last 6mm 700ADL's -- it had a very nice looking stock. My son thought he needed it so I gave it to him and he has it on a model 78 short action. I put an expensive fiberglass stock on the 700.

Terry Blauwkamp · #9 10-11-2008, 08:54 AM

You say it loves 95 SST"s "now"... so shoot the load you are using if it works. Any other recommendation is just that, a recomendation. It does not mean it will shoot in your rifle.

270man · #10 10-20-2008, 10:50 PM

6mm lovers,

We strayed a bit from scalerman's original post, but I will weigh in with some opinions on one of my favorite calibers -- the 6mm Remington.

Bought my first one on the recommendation of an uncle who felt that it was just a bit better than the 243. After years of experience with the 6mm (and a few with the 243), I now feel that there isn't much ballistic difference. Practically, the 243 wins hands-down. One only has to look at how many manufacturers offer models in 243 vs the 6mm.

Having started with the 6mm, I have stayed with it without regrets. The first one was a Rem 700 BDL and it was a tack-driver right out of the box. Sub-MOA groups were common with both 100gr and 75gr bullets -- primarily Sierra brand. The second one was not quite as accurate but generally groups 1MOA (sometimes better) with the same bullets.

Originally, I saw the 6mm as an ideal combo rifle for deer and varmints. In recent years, other calibers have captured my attention and the 6mm is mostly used for whitetail deer. On the rare occasion I get to hunt coyotes at long range, the 6mm is my choice. My family and I have taken many mule deer with the 6mm, and I disagree with those who say it isn't enough. My experiences say it is -- but I don't disagree with someone who chooses a more potent caliber. For big mulies, I often choose the 270 over the 6mm -- as a matter of personal preference -- not because I think the 6mm won't do the job.

As for bullet choices, I have to ask "what is the application?" If it is simply to shoot tight groups, just choose what works best in your rifle. For deer & antelope hunting, I stick with 90gr to 100gr bullets with good terminal performance (e.g., Nosler Partition -- 95gr or 100gr; Remington 100gr PSP-CL). If I get 1.5 to 2.0 MOA groups with these bullets, I am satisfied. For lighter varmints, I want very good accuracy and fast expansion. Sierra, Speer and Hornady 75gr-85gr bullets work pretty well, as do Remington 80gr HP bulk bullets. Velocity of handloads needs to be appropriate for the range to an intended target.

Haven't yet tried the 95gr SST but see no need to unless one of you determines that it is a "miracle" bullet for the 6mm. One bullet has me puzzled but a sample of one isn't enough to make a correct judgment. It is the 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. In my only test of this bullet on big game, the BT went completely through an antelope at 300-yards -- without expanding. Muzzle velocity had been measured at 3100fps. I hope to try it on coyotes one of these days to get a better feel for its performance.

270man

dmickey · #11 10-24-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scalerman
I found that my 6MM loves the 95 grain Hornady SST's. I was wondering if any of you guys could recommend a load for that bullet.

If you want loads suggested for a Hornady bullet, why not buy the Hornady reloading manual? I have an older one somewhere around here but you should really buy your own!

scalerman · #12 10-25-2008, 12:49 AM

Thanks for that insightful advice- I already own a Hornady manual and it does not include loads for the 95 Grain SST. I suppose I could break down and buy the latest volume- I was hoping that someone could give me some insight into how this bullet has worked for them at the same time as picking their brains for information. If there are some who resent my intrusion please forgive me- I have not yet shot any game with this bullet and was hoping to get some information. I was under the impression that this was a forum in which one could do that. If I am under the wrong impression please forgive me.